League overview: The North Central League has not been short of football talent in recent years. Taking out the fact that Limon went into 2021 having won the last three Class 1A state championships, the overall league itself is full of teams that have made playoff runs at one point or another. The 2022 season should be no different. Limon may have lost some of its luster after losing to Centauri in the state title game last fall, but the Badgers have been so dominant in recent years that it’s hard to count them out as a championship contender. Going back to 2018, Wray, Yuma, Holyoke Wiggins and Burlington have all advanced to the postseason. The only thing that will be certain about this league in 2022 is that every game is going to be a battle.
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Burlington
Head coach: Jon Bailey
2021 Record: 2-7 (0-5 North Central League)
Returning All-State Players: None
Seven points were the difference between the Cougars having a competitive season or ending the year having struggled through the schedule. There is a good amount of talent returning, including quarterback Garrett Richardson who threw for 835 yards and ran for another 290. He had four different receivers total more than 130 receiving yards and he gets three of them back, including Dominic Conrardy, who totaled 201 receiving yards and a touchdown. Richardson was also a heck of a defensive standout, leading the team in tackles with 60 and picking off five passes and causing two fumbles. The Cougars loaded up their non-league schedule with 2A teams and will face La Junta, Elizabeth and Lamar before opening league play against Limon on Oct. 1.
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Holyoke
Head coach: Dusty Sprague
2021 Record: 5-5 (2-3 North Central League)
Returning All-State Players: Wyatt Sprague (Honorable Mention)
For years, Holyoke has been a team that has been on the verge of capturing a state title. Last season was admittedly a bit of a down year for the Dragons, but their consistency when it comes to playing at a high level can’t be ignored. Wyatt Sprague emerged as one of the top young quarterbacks in the state and should put together a standout junior season. He threw for 1,247 yards and 10 touchdowns last year while running for 576 yards and 11 scores. He also picked off a team-high three passes on defense, establishing himself as a playmaker on both sides of the ball. He’ll get help from his classmates as fellow juniors Tyson Mosenteen and Cash Weber combined for over 500 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Last year was the worst season since 2017 for the Dragons, but they intend on taking a big step forward this season. They’ll be tested early as they face Strasburg to open the year.
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Limon
Head coach: Mike O’Dwyer
2021 Record: 12-1 (5-0 North Central League)
Returning All-State Players: Kaden Becker, Gabe Schubarth (Second Team); Treyton Marx (Honorable Mention)
Limon’s bid for a fourth straight state title came up short with a loss to Centauri in the 1A title game. With plenty of returning talent, the Badgers are among the select teams that many would pick to win the title in 2022, but coach Mike O’Dwyer knows his work is cut out for him. “This is probably the most difficult schedule we’ve ever had,” he said. That schedule includes Florence, Meeker, Strasburg and Buena Vista in non-league play. He’ll have to rely on his veternas, including Gabe Schubarth who finished the year with 1,231 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. Treyton Marx will have to set the tone in the trenches and is going to be a key contributor on the defensive side of the ball after recording 46 tackles, including one sack, on defense. O’Dwyer knows that the Badgers success will be determined by how fast his players can find their footing in his system. “Skill positions are going to need to come around quickly on the offensive side.,” O’Dwyer said. “Defensively, the DB’s also need to step up.”
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Wiggins
Head coach: Mitch Risner
2021 Record: 6-4 (2-3 North Central League)
Returning All-State Players: Laith Ibrahim (Second Team)
The Tigers took a big step forward last year, making the playoffs for the first time since 2015. This season, there is certainly the potential for them to do a bit more as they get senior dual-threat quarterback Cole Kerr back. He threw for 2,120 yards and 27 touchdowns and also ran for 1,129 yards and 15 scores. His two favorite receiving targets in Omar Perez (804 yards, 14 touchdowns) and Trey Fehseke (578 yards, five touchdowns) are also back. Kerr also picked off three passes on defense and it helped that he has Laith Ibrahim and Pepper Rusher returning to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The pass-rushing duo combined for 19 sacks last season. To get battle tested before the start of league play, the Tigers take on a few 2A opponents in Brush and Platte Valley and will also face Strasburg.
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Wray
Head coach: Levi Kramer
2021 Record: 9-3 (4-1 North Central League)
Returning All-State Players: Harrison Wade (First Team), Brady Collins (Honorable Mention)
The Eagles only lost to two teams in the 2021 season and that was eventual state champion Centauri (In Week 1) and state runner-up Limon (once in the regular season and once in the playoff semifinals). Considering they get sophomore quarterback Casey Midcap back after throwing for over 1,000 yards as a freshman as well as leading rusher Caeden Bower (787 yards, eight touchdowns) they could very well be in a position to unseat Limon and claim the league title. Tell Wade led an outstanding pass rush unit that totaled 27 sacks last year and he led the way with 10. Brady Collins had seven and he is back for his senior season as well. Wray takes on a couple of Kansas teams in their non-league slate and will also face Highland and Ellicott before taking on the challenge of claiming the North Central League title.
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Yuma
Head coach: Kelly Seward
2021 Record: 6-5 (2-3 North Central)
Returning All-State Players: Alex Lozano (First Team)
The Yuma football team did not have the ideal ending to the regular season in 2021. In a four-game stretch, it lost three of them and was able to beat Holyoke to secure a playoff spot. Its win over Strasburg in the first round was one of the more stunning upsets in the 1A bracket. In fact, Yuma was the only lower seeded team to win the first round. There is a lot of production to replace coming into 2022, however. The returning leading rusher from last year is sophomore Silas Baucke who ran for 217 yards and touchdown. A core of good pass catchers will be back but with Clay Robinson graduated, there is a question over who will get them the ball. The defense is in better shape as five of the top six tacklers from last year return, led by Kallen Blach who led Yuma with 92 total takedowns. Victor Perez recorded three sacks while Kevin Hermosillo and Nash Richardson each picked off two passes and recovered a fumble.
